Short and simple answers are in short supply

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

There is no single reason why the country is politically voting more Republican at the moment. I've read some highly plausible thoughts from folks here that I respect. I've seen it mentioned a few times and beyond this group that gun regulation, at least that at the more burdensome end of the spectrum, needs to be step away from.

My point is that this is a nation of minorities. I'm not just thinking about religion, race or any other usual groups. I'm talking about gun owners. While they are not monolithic, they all share one thing. They have time, money and often training invested in their guns. Will those that have those investments feel threatened by our party's candidates? There are some that will, when call upon, sell or destroy any guns they have. I think those folks are in the extreme minority of gun owners. IMHO > 65% of Democratic gun owners have no intention of giving up, giving away or selling what they own because it may have been redefined as an assault weapon/rifle or whatever.

To qualify mathematically as a minority group the members must be represented by fewer than 50% of the whole of the group. IMNSHO, groups in the US that make up a higher percentage of population than gun owners would be: men, women, white folks and monotheists. The number of US gun owners exceeds the populations of California, Texas and Florida even by the most conservative estimates. Gun owners are not a minority that the party can afford to treat like the embarrassing cousin who burps at dinner.

This is a problem with a solution. Stop following Republicans. I recognize that most Democrats who want more regulation have specific reasons and some specific ideas about what they'd like to see. But some in our party are only against guns because Republicans are for them. It's time to be Democrats for all the best reasons rather than just anti-Republicans.

Just because a policy is opposite to that of the Republicans doesn't make it the best idea in town. We have some candidates that campaign for laws that have no chance of passing and would do no good even if passed. Those folks need to do with those ideas what it says in the commercial: "Let's sell it on LETGO."

[jmg257]

1. Gun owners a minority? Huh - and so many want registration.

Government lists used to restrict rights?

Maybe we are not often enough opposite the Repubs.

[spin]

2. There are an estimated 80,000,000 gun owners in our nation. ...

That may well be a big underestimate as gun owners are reluctant to tell a survey taker who knocks on their door or calls them up on a phone that they do own such weapons. Guns are valuable. Would you tell some stranger that you had gold coins in your home?

I have never been asked by a survey taker if I own firearms. I don't answer the phone unless I know who is calling or the person leaves a message. Consequently I don't take phone surveys. If a survey taker shows up at my door I would never admit to owning firearms as in my opinion it is none of his damn business.

I have known a good number of gun owners over the years and most feel voting is important. They show up at the polls and vote. Gun control advocates don't have any money invested in the game so unless there has been a recent tragic massacre they often don't show up at the pools and vote for candidates who support gun control or for gun control measures. Standing in a long line to vote is a pain so you have to be enthusiastic emough to show up. Gun owners also appear to have better memories than many gun control advocates and they remember the days of the expired Federal Assault Weapons Ban well. They never wish to see such legislation pass again.

Most gun owners I know totally oppose another assault weapons ban as even if they don't own an "assault weapon." They firmly believe that such a ban would be a step to further bans such as a ban on all semiautomatic firearms and a ban on handguns.

According to the 2010 census there are about 38 million blacks and 50 million Hispanics in our nation not all who are of voting age. In my opinion it is not wise for the Democratic Party to alienate a large voting block such as the 80 million gun owners in this nation if they wish to regain the White House and control of Congress.

The Democratic Party might be wise to firmly state that it no longer supports gun bans or federal registration of firearms. Push instead for more reasonable and effective ways to try to insure firearms stay out the hands of the criminal element.

Of course the chances of that happening are similar to the Republcans saying they will no longer push for a repeal of Roe v Wade.

[yagotme]

4. I wouldn't

I wouldn't answer a question of having firearms in the home. Former Corrections Officer, consider this a security problem if someone else knows if/what I have.

[spin]

5. I agree. (n/t)

[Eleanors38]

3. Speculation, here...

I believe the core of the controller/banner interest group is firmly identified with the corporate, centrist Beltway Democrats, and not so much with the lefty activists. This magnifies their influence, esp. with MSM. As I have said on many occasions before, the gun control outlook is held by a rather small, but well-placed elite that will have to be firmly out-voted and where possible, displaced from office-holding within the Party's apparatchik. This process will be every bit as difficult as the greater one of moving the Party more to the left.